During the Second World War, the Brazilians, once again, played an active role in support of Allied forces scoring some notable successes such as the sinking of the German submarine U-199 off the coast of Rio de Janeiro with depth charges.
It would take until 1956 for the Brazilian Navy to successfully campaign for a dedicated aircraft carrier to take aircraft out to sea in the South Atlantic. A great deal of the impetus behind the acquisition of the former British Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier HMS which had already served abroad with the Australian Navy for a short period between 1952 and 1955. Surplus to requirements for the Royal Navy she was offered for sale
